My friend Pierre first turned me on to Facel Vaga. Until then, I'd never even heard of the company, let alone its cars. The French firm was founded in 1939, and its Amboise factory made aeroplane parts, while its two Paris factories produced exquisite cars.

The cars are, quite simply, amazing. Later models had Chrysler engines, but not all of them, and the French were justifiably proud of these light sports cars, which did well abroad too. For some reason though, they never quite made it.

(Dean Martin - check out that side window and the chrome underbelly)

(Ringo Starr in a delicious red one - look at the way the bonnet echoes the grill)

They still have quite a cult following at sites like this one (where I pinched these images), and regular fan club meetings. I think the reason I like them is because so many other iconic sports cars made since then share or borrow bits of their design, whether it's the silhouette, the rear haunches or the dash. That and the fact that, just looking at them, you know they ooze class and style.

ps - apologies for inaccuracies, I'm sure loads of this is wrong, but am equally sure that you will survive.